For all intents and purposes,Monster Hunter Risefeels like a proper sequel toMonster Hunter Worldin both the look and feel of it. Except for some graphical reduction on the Switch, it’s actually quite surprising that the console can handleRise. It’s proof that the Switch Pro is not needed any time soon as much as fans want it.
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That aside, one of the biggest questions that comes up aboutMonster Hunter Riseis what are the differences between it andMonster Hunter World? In other words, what has changed between the two games, what has stayed the same, and what has been added?
10Palamutes
Monster Hunter Risehas introduced a new pet to coexist next to the longtime Palico companions. Palamutes, unlike Palicoes, can always accompany players in multiplayer.
They are used as a combat companion and also a riding buddy, serving similar to a small horse to get around the maps faster. The series has made it so monsters could be ridden before but it was never in a dedicated manner like this.
9Cohoots
Cohoots are another new animal companion. These owls act like drones in other games.A good example isAssassin’s Creedwhich uses birds to scope out areas. Unfortunately, inMonster Hunter Rise, players cannot take direct control of these birds in order to scout the land.
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Cohoots are more like an explanation or justification as to why players can see so much on the map, from roaming monsters to mineral deposits.
8Wirebugs
The guiding bugs fromMonster Hunter Worldare out. InMonster Hunter Rise, they have been replaced with Wirebugs that act likeWorld’s grappling hook although more involved. Wirebugs can boost players into the air directly or onto cliffs.
Players can also run up walls like a ninja using them. Combining these two ideas together, theoverall nature of this gameis allowing players more traversal options.
7Wyvern Riding
Wirebugs have another use. If players are careful enough, they can get them to wrangle monsters down to temporarily ride them. This is especially useful when two large monsters cross each other’s path.
This makes it easier to break off materials from the opposing monster as well as take them down quicker via massive damage. It’s like a big Kaiju battle or like a more intense Pokemon scuffle to keep things on-brand with Nintendo.
6Rampage Mode
Rampage missions are likeMonster Hunter Rise’s version of a horde mode fromGears of War. The idea of them in the story is that, from time to time, monsters will try and penetrate the gates of the town.
It’s still only four-player co-op missions but in a survival arena setting. They are fun distractions if nothing else and can be lucrative ways to get rare materials.
5Multiplayer Separation
Monster Hunter Risehas now been split into two distinct hubs. One where players can go on missions by themselves in the story. The other is a gathering location for multiplayer.
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This makes it so players that don’t care about the story can jump in almost immediately with friends or strangers. The setup is very quick compared toMonster Hunter World, which is a plus for any game launching with online functionality.
4Reduced Story
The story inMonster Hunter Riseis less prominent than the one inMonster Hunter World. That may be a plus for some and a downer for others sinceMonster Hunter Worldwas the first big pushfor the seriesto get a proper story.
Consequently,Risemay feel like a step back. Whether one likes the story or not, it should also be noted that cutscenes can now be skipped, even in multiplayer. This makes it much easier for players to get straight to the action.
3Amiibo Support
It should come as no surprise to learn that aSwitch game offers Amiibo support. Using almost any Amiibo will enter players into a lottery for the day. They have three chances to win random items via the town’s shopkeeper.
There are also three exclusiveMonster Hunter RiseAmiibo available only at GameStop that offer one-time only DLC when registered. The Amiibo are based on Magnamalo, Palicoes, and Palamutes.
2No More Environmental Potions
Monster Hunter Worldmade it almost mandatory to drink potions in order tosurvive in different environments. It was like the potions used to survive the magma layers inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
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This is no longer a factor inMonster Hunter Rise. There are still plenty of potions hunters need in order to survive a monster encounter but at least the environments are no longer enemies.
1New Monsters
There are technically ten new monsters introduced inMonster Hunter Rise. Two of them are smaller monsters like the Bombadgy and Izuchi. The latter has a greater form, Great Izuchi, but it’s really only one new creature there.
The rest are all hits and include Magnamalo, Aknosom, Tetranadon, Somnacanth, Goss Harag, Bishaten, and Rakna-Kadaki. Magnamalo is the main attraction as the cover beast and returns many times throughout the game’s story.
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